Some good advice above.
From MIA to the TPT is mostly asphalt, much of it on shared-use off-road cycle paths. A fair bit of the section along the river to Stockport (SK) is also now asphalted. As others have said, be ready to get confused with signage and alternative routes. If you have GPS, I imagine you should be ok. If not, you have a tongue in your head - there will plenty of joggers, dog-walkers etc to ask.
Beyond SK surfaces are more variable. The TPT goes across parks, on riverbank trails, down narrow alleys and on quiet residential roads. Again, signage and route-finding will be a bigger problem than surfaces (providing you avoid all the dog poo). At Hadfield, the TPT runs along a former railway. This bit is flattish and really quite pleasant.
I too would recommend avoiding Woodhead and going over Holme Moss - a spectacular Pennine route used by the TdF in 2014. It is steepish but more attractive and more direct.
When you get to Yorkshire, go to a bakery and buy a curd tart. These are a wonder of the culinary world.
If you are tired after the flight, or the weather is crap, there are hourly direct train services from MIA station to Dewsbury, not far from Batley. Advance tickets for September can be had for less than £10. There is no charge for taking a bike, tho reservations are required. See the TPE website. Depending on your financial situation, you could consider reserving now as an ‘insurance’ (note that such advance tickets are valid ONLY for a single train. If you miss this train, there is no refund. A walk-on ticket will be about £25.
https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travelling- ... ith-a-bike HTH
Once in England, I'll initially be staying with my sister in Batley, West Yorkshire. I'm considering building my bike up on arrival at Manchester Airport, and cycling to Batley via the Trans Pennine Trail.
